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You're in good hands

Book your trip with confidence — We only work with the best local guides that know where to put you on fish.

About Your Trip

Water Type

Deep Sea, Nearshore, Lake

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

About Your Trip

Welcome aboard for the ultimate hands-on Great Lakes fishing adventure! Operating out of beautiful Traverse City, Michigan, our standard 4-hour half-day trips (available for morning, mid-day, or evening departures) launch from Elmwood Marina or the Center Road Boat Launch. We primarily fish the pristine, protected waters of Grand Traverse Bay and Lake Michigan, staying anywhere from a half-mile to 3 miles offshore. Because the bays are naturally sheltered from harsh winds, you can look forward to a remarkably smooth, calm, and family-friendly day on the water that is perfectly suited for all ages and skill levels.

You will be fishing in comfort from our stable 20' Lund Fisherman Deep V hull boat. While it is licensed to carry up to 4 passengers, trips with 2 to 3 guests offer the absolute best experience. As your owner and captain, I run these trips solo—meaning there is no first mate aboard, allowing for a truly personalized, one-on-one guiding experience. The boat is fully U.S. Coast Guard certified and loaded with top-tier technology, including a Minn Kota Terrova trolling motor, a FishHawk system to find precise temperature depths, Humminbird sonar, and brand-new Big Jon downriggers. All premium rods, reels, tackle, and lures are provided at no extra cost, and when we get back to the docks, I will clean and fillet your catch for free so it’s ready for your cooler!

What sets us apart is over 15 years of local, lifelong experience fishing these exact waters, giving us an unmatched pulse on where the fish are moving. Our trips are highly customizable based on the season and what you want to catch: early spring and summer focus on aggressive Lake Trout, Steelhead (Rainbow Trout), and Cisco using light or heavy tackle trolling and jigging methods; from late July through September, we pivot to chasing hard-fighting King (Chinook) and Coho Salmon. Once a fish is hooked, I hand the rod over—putting you in full control of the fight while I coach you through the action. We even welcome you to bring your own beer or wine to keep things relaxed. Just bring your valid Michigan DNR fishing license, layered clothing, a cooler, and get ready to make some unforgettable memories!

Amenities

Water Type

Deep Sea, Nearshore, Lake

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Tackle

All rods, reels, and tackle are included.

Fish Cleaning

This guide will clean your catch for you.

Beer

Feel free to enjoy responsibly, but please no glass.

Music

You can play your own bluetooth music.

Weather

You won’t lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

Federal Permit

This boat is federally permitted to go deep offshore.

Kid Friendly

This trip can cater to small children.

Flexible Cancelation

This trip can be canceled up to 7 days before the trip.

Physicality

This trip requires an easy level of physical activity.

Boat Restroom

No, this boat does not have a bathroom on board.

Live Bait

Live bait is not used on this trip.

Disability Friendly

This trip is not suited for those with disabilities.

Lunch

Please provide your own food / snacks.

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Pricing Matrix

	4 hours	6 hours
1 Person	$550.00	$800.00
2 People	$550.00	$800.00
3 People	$550.00	$800.00
4 People	$600.00	$850.00

Pay 15% of the price as a deposit today, with the balance due on the day of the trip.

About Your Guide

Ethan P.

Independent Guide

Talkative

Laid-back

Instructional

Captain Ski is a Northern Michigan native with a passion for Great Lakes fishing. From spring Lake Trout, Steelhead, and Cisco to summer King Salmon, he uses his local knowledge to help anglers of all skill levels make the most of their time on the water.

About Your Guide

Ethan P.

Independent Guide

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Rapid Fire Guide Q & A

What’s the biggest fish you’ve caught?

On Lake Michigan, a 31lb King

If you were cooking for all your friends what would you cook?

Venison backstraps

Rapid Fire Guide Q & A

What’s the biggest fish you’ve caught?

On Lake Michigan, a 31lb King

If you were cooking for all your friends what would you cook?

Venison backstraps

What’s your favorite band?

Kenney Chesney

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Start Location & Lodging Options

Traverse City, Michigan

Areas Fished

Lake Michigan (WI)

About Your Boat

Boat photo for Big Water — 4 Hrs (AM Or PM)

Boat Type: Utility Boat
Boat Manufacturer: Lund
Boat Length: 20'
Boat Restroom: No

About Your Boat

Boat Type: Utility Boat
Boat Manufacturer: Lund
Boat Length: 20'
Boat Restroom: No

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Trip Details & Amenities

Water Type

Deep Sea, Nearshore, Lake

Skill Levels

Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced

Tackle

All rods, reels, and tackle are included.

Fish Cleaning

This guide will clean your catch for you.

Beer

Feel free to enjoy responsibly, but please no glass.

Music

You can play your own bluetooth music.

Weather

You won't lose your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.

Federal Permit

This boat is federally permitted to go deep offshore.

Kid Friendly

This trip can cater to small children.

Flexible Cancelation

This trip can be canceled up to 7 days before the trip.

Physicality

This trip requires an easy level of physical activity.

Boat Restroom

No, this boat does not have a bathroom on board.

Live Bait

Live bait is not used on this trip.

Disability Friendly

This trip is not suited for those with disabilities.

Lunch

Please provide your own food / snacks.

Target Species

Color-coded seasonality below is based on .

View Full Species Seasonality Chart » View Recent Traverse City Fishing Reports »

Get it while it's HOT!
This species is in play.
You might get lucky (as long as things are in-season).
Couldn't tell ya! (no data)

Techniques

Trolling

Everything Else to Know

Everything is included, but we also recommend bringing sunglasses, sunscreen, weather-appropriate clothing, and anything else you might want on the trip.

You'll need to buy a fishing license before getting out there. Find out more about licenses here.

We use a cashless autopay system. We'll send you a boarding pass, and on the day of the trip, your guide will scan your boarding pass to automatically transfer the remaining balance. The only cash needed is to tip your guide (we recommend 20%).

Cancel for free up to 7 days before the trip and receive credit back to your account. Cancelling within 7 of the trip will forfeit your deposit to the guide. Day-of cancellations and no-shows will be charged the full balance of the trip to their card.

In the event of inclement weather you'll be covered by out 100% Weather Guarantee and will not lose your deposit.

Recent Reviews of Captain Experiences

Ray

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Five stars! Fun trip!

Ray

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Five stars! Fun trip!

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Ali

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Trip: Inshore Fishing With Kaleb

First Time Booking with Us?

Captain Experiences is home to thousands of quality, vetted fishing, hunting, and other outdoor sports guides across the US and beyond. Our mission is to Unlock the Outdoors by making it quick and easy to book the trip of a lifetime every time with our Damn Good Guides.

We vet our guides and only partner with the best of the best. Our guides do their very best to keep you safe, show you a great time, and send you home with a memorable experience shared with family and friends.

Once you've paid your deposit at checkout, we'll send you a QR Code boarding pass. Just show your guide your boarding pass on the day of the trip, they'll scan it, the remaining balance will transfer automatically, and you'll be all set to get out there. Just make sure you bring a cash tip for the guide!

In the event of inclement weather, our guides will check the conditions and make the final call on whether its safe to go on the trip. If they decide the trip needs to be postponed, we'll work closely with you to reschedule or provide a credit for the full deposit, which can be applied to any of our trips in the US and beyond.

Each trip's price is determined by the guide and reflects all associated costs. A significant factor in pricing is often the type of boat and the corresponding fuel expenses. Additional costs may include leases, marina or slip fees, and the expenses involved in providing and maintaining the necessary gear for your trip.

After booking your trip, we'll connect you directly with your guide to discuss additional details. In the meantime, our team is here to answer any questions via email, text, or phone.